The official blog of GCSAA's Golf Course Management magazine

Norman Hummel, Ph.D., has been selected as the recipient of the 2017 USGA Green Section Award. Presented annually since 1961, the USGA Green Section Award recognizes an individual’s distinguished service to the game of golf through their work with turfgrass.

Hummel, of Trumansburg, N.Y., will receive the Green Section Award on Feb. 4, 2017, at the USGA’s Annual Meeting and Service Awards in Washington, D.C.

“Dr. Hummel’s work has had a lasting impact on the industry and the construction, maintenance and playability of golf course putting greens throughout the world,” said Kimberly Erusha, Ph.D., managing director of the USGA Green Section. “His work with the USGA provided a thorough review and update of a globally recognized standard of putting-green construction, and it helped the industry better understand the intricacies of putting-green construction and performance. Dr. Hummel’s experience and willingness to listen and offer advice have made him a valued resource for the industry and a worthy recipient of the Green Section Award.”

“I was totally surprised and a bit dumbfounded when I got the call,” said Hummel. “Receiving this award is an honor and I am humbled, especially when you look at the list of past recipients. I’ve always considered myself to be a regular guy who showed up to work every day. Over the years, it has been a privilege for me to work with superintendents on some of the great golf courses in this country. Never did I think that my work and contributions would extend beyond the individual golf courses into something industry-wide.”

GT AirInject, creators of the Air2G2 aeration machine, have won the 2016 HSBC Golf Business Forum Innovation Award. The award was presented on November 29thduring the forum’s annual gala, held this year at TPC Sawgrass, headquarters of the PGA Tour, in Ponte Vedra, Florida.

GT AirInject is one of five companies that were shortlisted for the award. The HSBC Golf Innovation Forum describes the Air2G2 as “a true aeration machine” that infuses the soil with air while creating “minimal surface disruption” that leaves a surface immediately playable after treatment. In a statement on the HSBC Golf Business Forum website, event organizers said the machine was selected for the award for its far-reaching potential to impact the golf industry, declaring: “The Air2G2 will benefit every course manager in the world.”

“We are so humbled to be chosen for this award,” said Glen Black, president of GT AirInject. “We founded GT AirInject to revolutionize golf course maintenance with true aeration that doesn’t create disruption for turf, course superintendents, or golfers. It’s an honor to have that dream recognized.”

Bill Brown, CGCS, a longtime superintendent and former GCM columnist, is the new director of brand development at Aqua-Aid.

"Aqua-Aid has grown dramatically in both the size and complexity of our business portfolio around the world over the past few years,” said Sam Green, chief operating officer. “As our brand has grown, so has the need for strong communication and education for our end users and distributors. We are very fortunate to be able to bring an industry leader like Bill Brown onboard. His experience as both a professional turf manager and technology expert in our industry will allow us to further develop our brands through digital and social media platforms.”

Many in the industry know Brown as the founder of Turf Republic, which he began four years ago to expand the use of technology among turf professionals, promote innovation and create an online community to share research and practical ideas around the world. Prior to that, Brown was golf course superintendent at Hartefeld National GC and worked at other clubs in Pennsylvania. He’s also served in multiple chapter and GCSAA volunteer leadership roles. He earned his degree in turfgrass management from Penn State. Brown will continue to work from his home in Kennett Square, Pa.

“This is a remarkable opportunity with a company that’s growing, evolving and innovating,” Brown said. He added that the Turf Republic team will continue on even though he’s stepping away from day-to-day operations: “It was always meant to be bigger than the founding members and the amazing group of professionals that make up Turf Republic will continue to empower and inspire our community.”

The Heart of America GCSA is doing its part to make a difference in the Kansas City area.

On Nov. 15, chapter members went to Harris Park to help spruce up an area in Midtown, where Chris Harris is leading a charge to create a place for community youths to experience the game of golf. Those Heart of America GCSA members helping to spearhead the aid include 14-year GCSAA member Andy Klein, CGCS, from Falcon Ridge Golf Club in Lenexa, Kan.; and 17-year GCSAA Class A superintendent Tim Nielsen from Creekmore Golf Club in Raymore, Mo. (Harris, pictured in the center, is flanked at left by Klein and at right by Nielsen).

The Heart of America, along with the Midwest Section PGA, have volunteered their time and effort to make Harris’ vision a reality in an area that has been affected by blight and boarded up windows. Harris’ goal? Develop a 9-hole putting course. For now, Harris is using mostly his own money to fund the project, which is adjacent to where he was raised. He works as a housing specialist at Truman Medical Center.

The PGA of America has announced it will contribute $100,000 over the next three years to the Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG) to support the work of the of the GCSAA.

“We believe in the good work that golf course superintendents are doing every day to establish quality, healthy playing conditions for all golfers, while protecting our environment,” said Pete Bevacqua, chief executive officer of the PGA. “We are all working together to grow and protect this great game. And GCSAA members care for the largest asset we have – the golf course.”

The gift, which will be used to support research, environmental programs and advocacy efforts for the golf industry, raises the allied organization’s support of EIFG to more than $500,000 since 2007.

“We applaud the PGA’s support of the golf course management profession and the teamwork that helps raise our collective efforts to promote the game and all of its benefits,” said GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans.

The EIFG’s mission is to foster sustainability through research, awareness, education, programs and scholarships for the benefit of golf course management professionals, golf facilities and the game. Darrell Crall, the chief operating officer of the PGA of America, is one of the trustees for the EIFG.

Longtime turfgrass science professors Nick Christians, Ph.D., and Patricia Vittum, Ph.D., along with Brent Wadsworth, whose company has built more than 850 golf courses, have been selected to receive 2017 Col. John Morley Distinguished Service Awards from the GCSAA. The three will be recognized during the Opening Session, presented in partnership with Syngenta, on Feb. 7 at the 2017 Golf Industry Show (GIS) in Orlando.

The award is given to individuals who have made an outstanding, substantive and enduring contribution to the advancement of the golf course superintendent profession. The award was renamed in 2009 in honor of Col. John Morley, GCSAA's founder and first president. He was the first to earn the Distinguished Service Award in 1932, and he received it again in 1940.

"These three embody what the Col. John Morley Distinguished Service Award represents,” said GCSAA President Peter Grass, a certified golf course superintendent (CGCS). “They have made significant contributions to the game through research, teaching and golf course construction. In a variety of ways, these individuals have dedicated themselves to the broader advancement of the superintendent profession.”

Christians, 67, has taught horticulture and turfgrass management at Iowa State University for the past 37 years, encouraging more than 1,000 students to consider careers as golf course superintendents or in related fields. Eight of his former students are also currently college faculty members in the field of study, including one at his alma mater of The Ohio State University, where he earned his Ph.D.

“I am very pleased to receive this award. It was a surprise,” said Christians, who was a golf course superintendent in Colorado from 1972-74 before going to graduate school. “I would like to thank my former students who nominated me for this award. Working with students has been a joy. I still love my job and enjoying coming to work every day.”

Christians has done important research on turfgrass fertility, weed control and natural herbicides, and he has been recognized with numerous industry awards. He has received the Iowa State Horticultural Society Honor Award, the Fred Grau Turfgrass Research Award from the Crop Science Society of America, the Distinguished Service Award from the Iowa GCSA and the Meritorious Service Award from the Iowa Turfgrass Institute. In addition, he has supported GCSAA as an instructor at GIS since 1983 and has been a member of the association for 22 years.